University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center Achieves Magnet® Recognition

CLEVELAND – University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center attained Magnet recognition for the fourth consecutive time, a testament to its continued dedication to high-quality nursing practice. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes health care organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. This credential is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.

Initially designated in 2006, receiving Magnet recognition again is an outstanding achievement for UH Cleveland Medical Center. It continues to proudly belong to the global Magnet community – a select group of just 549 U.S. health care organizations and 14 international health care organizations.

“Magnet recognition is a tremendous honor and reflects our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to this community,” said Jason M. Pirtz, MBA, BSN, RN, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, University Hospitals Academic Market and Associate Chief Nursing Officer, UH Cleveland Medical Center. “At UH Cleveland Medical Center, we have always believed that we employ the highest-quality and most professional nurses. Receiving ANCC Magnet recognition for the fourth consecutive time reinforces this belief.”

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, such as:

• Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information.
• Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates.
• Higher job satisfaction among nurses.
•  Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions.

Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a factor when the public judges health care organizations. U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.

The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research, and measurement of outcomes. Through this framework, ANCC evaluates applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence.

The foundation of this model comprises various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.

To achieve Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit, and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition.

Health care organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality. An organization reapplying for Magnet recognition must provide documented evidence to demonstrate how staff members sustained and improved Magnet concepts, performance and quality over the four-year period since the organization received its most recent recognition.

“We’re a better organization today because of the Magnet recognition we first achieved 15 years ago,” said Pirtz. “Magnet standards raise the bar for patient care and inspire every member of our team to achieve excellence every day. It is this commitment to providing our community with high-quality care that helped us maintain our credential as a Magnet organization.”